Some folks treat the church like a restaurant. You come in, you get served, and you leave a review on the drive home. The singing dragged on and on. The sermon ran  too long. Nobody spoke to anyone in the foyer. Three stars.

Paul had a different picture. Paul says that God gave apostles, evangelists, shepherds, and teachers “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12). The ministry belongs to the saints. If you have been baptized into Christ, that means you.

Convenience produces spectators. Conviction produces disciples.

The body grows “when each part is working properly,” and it “builds itself up in love” (Ephesians 4:16). Nobody grows up in Christ as a solo act, because “the eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you'” (1 Corinthians 12:21). Most of the teaching Hebrews 5:12 talks about will never happen behind a lectern. It happens at a kitchen table, in a text message, in a hospital room, or sitting beside a new Christian in Bible class.

Love is the climate where Christians grow. A greenhouse works because the conditions are right. That is why Paul wrote, “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing” (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

Here is a habit that helps: the Monthly Four. At the start of the month, pick four people. Pray for them by name. Find them at services. Send each of them a card. October just started, so you are right on time.

Start with one today. Name the person, then call them, write them, or sit with them this week. That is the body building itself up in love, one joint at a time.

Just some thoughts,